Low profile switching and lighting integration within an interior vehicle component

Abstract

An interior vehicle component comprises a base and a panel coupled to the base. The panel is moveable between a first position and a second position. The panel has a first side and an opposite second side. The first side is configured to be visible to a vehicle occupant when the panel is in the first position. The second side cooperates with the base to define a cavity. The panel has an aperture extending through the first side and the second side. The panel also comprises at least one of a solid state switch and a light source supported at the first side of the panel, and a flexible circuit coupled to a backside of the at least one of the solid state switch and the light source through the aperture.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An interior vehicle component comprising:
 a base; 
 a panel coupled to the base and moveable between a first position and a second position, the panel having a first side and an opposite second side, the first side configured to be visible to a vehicle occupant when the panel is in the first position, the second side cooperating with the base to define a cavity; 
 a solid state switch integrated with or into the panel; 
 an indicator to indicate a zone for operating the solid state switch; and 
 a flexible circuit coupled to a backside of the solid state switch. 
 
     
     
       2. The interior vehicle component of  claim 1 , further comprising a light source integrated with or into the panel. 
     
     
       3. The interior vehicle component of  claim 1  further comprising a printed circuit board supported by the base at a location remote from of the solid state switch, the flexible circuit comprising a cable extending between the printed circuit board and the solid state switch. 
     
     
       4. The interior vehicle component of  claim 3  wherein the printed circuit board is supported on a backside of the base, the base defining an aperture through which the cable is routed to the backside of the solid state switch. 
     
     
       5. The interior vehicle component of  claim 1  wherein the flexible circuit comprises a printed circuit board that is supported at the backside of the solid state switch. 
     
     
       6. The interior vehicle component of  claim 1  wherein a combination of the panel, of the solid state switch, and the flexible circuit has a total thickness that is less than approximately 10 mm 
     
     
       7. The interior vehicle component of  claim 6  wherein the total thickness of the combination is less than approximately 5 mm. 
     
     
       8. The interior vehicle component of  claim 1  wherein the interior vehicle component comprises at least one of an overhead console, floor console, door panel and a visor. 
     
     
       9. The interior vehicle component of  claim 8  wherein the interior vehicle component comprises an overhead console, and wherein the cavity is a storage bin. 
     
     
       10. The interior vehicle component of  claim 9  wherein the storage bin is configured to receive and retain a pair of sunglasses. 
     
     
       11. The interior vehicle component of  claim 9  wherein panel is pivotally coupled to the base about a pivot shaft that allows for rotational movement of the panel between the first position and the second position. 
     
     
       12. The interior vehicle component of  claim 9  wherein the combination of the flexible circuit, the solid state switch, and the indicator does not encroach upon a storage capacity of the storage bin. 
     
     
       13. The interior vehicle component of  claim 9  further comprising a covering provided at the second side of the panel and disposed over the flexible circuit and the solid state switch. 
     
     
       14. A method of manufacturing an interior vehicle component, the method comprising:
 providing a base; 
 coupling a panel to the base in a manner so that the panel can be selectively moved between a stowed position and a deployed position, the panel having a first side and an opposite second side, the first side configured to be visible to a vehicle occupant when the panel is in the stowed position, the second cooperating with the base to define a cavity; 
 integrating a solid state switch with or into the panel; 
 providing an indicator to indicate a zone for operating the solid state switch; and 
 coupling a flexible circuit a backside of the solid state switch. 
 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 14  wherein the interior vehicle component is an overhead console. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 14 , further comprising integrating a light source with or into the panel.